The Siloam Springs Police Department will host a Night Out Against Crime this week to help build bridges between Siloam Springs' police officers and the people in the community they serve.
"It's an opportunity for us to interact with the community when there is not something stressful going on," said Corporal Jeff Bland, who is among the officers heading up the event.
Bland said the event, on Friday, Aug. 11, is an important opportunity for officers to interact with people in a stress-free situation.
The event comprises several parts this year, with a community fair kicking off the night. The community fair, which will be held in downtown Siloam Springs at the Community Building, will include opportunities for people to connect with a broad variety of area nonprofits for an explanation of the services they offer or volunteer opportunities.
Officers will also be on hand to pass out car seats that were awarded to the city in a grant, and to check the safety of installed seats. Members of the department will also be at the Arvest Bank parking lot downtown at 6 p.m. with vehicles on hand for kids to see and experience. A free bicycle safety program will also be available.
"We wanted to kind of increase the range of people going with activities," Bland said.
Bland said he hopes the new slate of attractions for this year's event will attract people who haven't traditionally attended police department events. Bland hopes to accomplish that through the early downtown events and the later events that night.
As in past years, block parties will play a prominent role in the event. The department is taking applications from people who are interested in helping host a block party. The parties are meant to enhance community unity and get people familiar with their neighbors.
Bland said the department hopes to have 10 to 12 block parties, and will be taking applications to host until Aug. 9. The parties can occur any time between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Officers will also be available to attend the parties and take comments or answer questions.
"It's a time to see what kind of issues or problems or questions they might have of us," Bland said.
Forms for hosting a block party are available on the city's website.
Later in the evening, the police department will be partnering with the Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation department to sponsor the annual Dive-In Movie. The movie, which usually carries a small fee, will be free to the public. The pool will open at 8 p.m. for a showing of the movie, "Finding Dory," at 9 p.m.
"We appreciate the support we get in Siloam Springs, and we're lucky to live and work where we do, so we want people to know that," Bland said.
General News on 08/06/2017